Mumbai Police and the Growing Menace of Illegally Parked Seized Vehicles.


08 April 2025 Constitutional & Government >> Constitution & Law Procedure  

This petition of Marathon Maxima Co. Op. Housing Society v/s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation & Others., before the court highlights the significant public inconvenience and safety concerns caused by the Mumbai Police's practice of dumping and parking vehicles seized by various police stations on public roads, streets, pavements, and even private lands. The court notes the lack of a concrete policy to address this issue in Mumbai and Maharashtra, despite a previous order from April 13, 2023, urging the State Government and the Commissioner of Police to formulate such a policy and take action to dispose of these nuisance vehicles.

The court emphasizes the severe constraints on open spaces in Mumbai, making this haphazard parking a major problem for pedestrians and the public at large. It criticizes the Municipal Corporation's inaction and questions the Traffic Department's silence on these encroachments. Furthermore, the court raises concerns about the safety and security implications of parking numerous seized vehicles near police stations.


 

 

Given the lack of compliance with the previous order, the court directs the Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic Division, and the Inspector General of Police/State of Maharashtra to collaborate and devise a clear mechanism for the immediate removal of seized vehicles to appropriate locations, ensuring they do not obstruct public spaces or the vicinity of police stations. The court also reiterates the need for a comprehensive policy, to be framed under the guidance of the Principal Secretary, Home, and presented to the court by the next hearing date.

Additionally, the court addresses a separate concern regarding the safety of MSEDCL (RMU unit) installations and requests an affidavit from their counsel regarding potential adverse effects on citizens.

The matter is adjourned to April 29, 2025.